Swim

"Swim" by Chase Atlantic is a multi-layered song that explores themes of hedonism, escapism, emotional vulnerability, and the complexities of modern relationships. On the surface, the song details a burgeoning, intense physical and emotional connection with a new person. However, this relationship is set against a backdrop of the protagonist's internal turmoil and self-destructive tendencies. The central metaphor of swimming serves as a powerful symbol for navigating life's challenges and the desire to immerse oneself in another person to escape one's own problems. The "ocean" represents this deep, emotional, and physical space he wants to enter, while the act of "swimming" symbolizes the effort to move forward and cope.

The lyrics touch on substance use ("’specially when I'm smoking," "pop a couple pills") as a coping mechanism and a part of the reckless lifestyle the narrator leads. This creates a duality in the song's meaning: the pursuit of pleasure is intertwined with a sense of desperation and a need for salvation. The line, “The water's getting colder,” suggests an increasing sense of numbness or urgency, a feeling that he is losing his battle against his inner demons. California is used as a symbolic location for this escape, a place of dreams and new beginnings, yet the struggle persists.

Ultimately, "Swim" portrays a character who is aware of his flaws and the dangerous world he inhabits (“dance with the devil”) but is still yearning for connection and a way to stay afloat. It’s a raw and honest depiction of being overwhelmed by life's pressures while simultaneously seeking solace and intensity in another person. The song captures a feeling of being caught in a rip current of one's own making—a mix of desire, struggle, and fragile hope.

The narrative begins with an immediate and intense connection between the singer and a new acquaintance, established over just a single day. Despite this fresh bond, the protagonist is burdened by personal issues, which he describes as “exorcising demons.” This internal struggle is a constant, something he needs to work through even as this new relationship dawns. He urges his new partner for a spontaneous meeting, telling her to drive fast, as if fleeing from the law, which introduces a sense of urgency and recklessness. The line, “You picked a dance with the devil and you lucked out,” suggests that getting involved with him is a risky venture, a dangerous liaison that she has successfully navigated so far.

The central and recurring chorus uses the metaphor of swimming in an ocean to describe his desire for both physical intimacy and emotional immersion. The water is “getting colder,” signaling a sense of growing desperation or numbness, and he pleads to be let into her “ocean.” The setting of California, a place often associated with dreams and escapism, is where he imagines himself “forward stroking,” a metaphor for trying to move on and make progress in his life. However, he finds it incredibly difficult to ignore her, especially when under the influence of substances (“’specially when I’m smoking”). The weight of the world feels heavy on his shoulders, and he asks her to remain open and receptive to him as he navigates these turbulent waters.

The second verse delves deeper into the hedonistic and impulsive lifestyle the protagonist leads. He mentions taking pills during the day and expresses a casual interest in his partner's friend. There's a hint of regret for not being physically intimate on the first night, now feeling stuck waiting for a metaphorical “green light” or permission. This impatience is a core part of his character. He also reveals vulnerabilities, mentioning how narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) induces a sense of stage fright, a feeling of being frozen or anxious. Yet, he finds a way to soar above these issues, flying at “insane heights,” likely a reference to the highs provided by either success, substances, or the intensity of his experiences.

The song's bridge offers a moment of direct guidance and caution, almost like a piece of wisdom learned through hard experience. He advises to “push the water to the edge and watch it drip,” a call to test boundaries and take control. He follows this with a warning: “Check your footing, don’t get caught up in the rip,” acknowledging the dangerous undercurrents that can pull one under. He admits to his own failings, confessing he never made a promised phone call. The final lines of the bridge express a deep sense of being overwhelmed, stating, “The tide has currently been thrashing around me again and again,” reinforcing the feeling of being in a constant state of struggle. Yet, there's a glimmer of hope or reliance on his partner, as he believes he “can take you even though I’ve never been there,” suggesting a willingness to guide her through an unknown, perhaps better, place, even if he hasn't reached it himself.

"Swim" was released in 2017 as part of Chase Atlantic's self-titled debut studio album. The album itself was an accumulation of songs from three EPs released earlier that year—Part One, Part Two, and Part Three—which were intended to build anticipation for the full-length record. The band, consisting of brothers Mitchel and Clinton Cave and their friend Christian Anthony, had signed with Warner Bros. Records in early 2017. The album was largely written and produced by the band themselves, showcasing their signature DIY approach.

In an interview, Christian Anthony shared a specific anecdote about the song's inception. They had the basic structure of a beat and added "surfy guitar" to it. He recalls Mitchel Cave coming outside the studio and simply suggesting, "What about swim?" Mitchel then went back inside and recorded the hook in a single take, creating the core of the song from that spontaneous idea. This moment stood out to the band as a significant creative spark. The album's lyrics were often based on the band's own life experiences, exaggerated for artistic effect, particularly reflecting on their major life change of moving from Australia to Los Angeles.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Swim" are integral to its hypnotic and moody quality.

Rhyme Scheme:

The song employs a relatively loose and modern rhyme scheme, favoring slant rhymes and assonance over perfect rhymes, which is common in R&B and hip-hop influenced music. The verses follow a pattern that feels more like a spoken-word flow than a rigid structure. For example, in the first verse, "baby" is rhymed with "baby," while "day" and "now" are near rhymes. The pre-chorus uses a more defined AABB-like pattern with "now" and "cop out," and "cops now" and "lucked out." The chorus is structured more around repetition than a complex rhyme scheme, with the key rhyming pairs being "stroking" and "smoking," and the repeated end-word "swim."

Rhythm and Tempo:

The song has a moderately slow tempo, set at approximately 120 BPM, which gives it a laid-back yet steady pulse. The rhythmic structure is built on a foundation of trap-influenced percussion, featuring prominent hi-hats and a deep, resonant bass. This creates a groove that is both danceable and atmospheric. The lyrical rhythm, particularly in Mitchel Cave's vocal delivery, is syncopated and flows smoothly over the beat, often lagging slightly behind to enhance the relaxed, hazy feel. The interplay between the steady musical rhythm and the more fluid vocal rhythm is a key characteristic of the track, contributing significantly to its overall dark, sensual, and introspective vibe.

"Swim" showcases Chase Atlantic's signature genre-blending style, which they describe as "dark alternative pop punctuated by rock and R&B."

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The track masterfully combines elements of alternative R&B, dark pop, trap, and synth-pop. This is evident in the slow, rhythmic trap-influenced beats, the smooth R&B vocal melodies, and the atmospheric, often melancholic, synth pads.
• Atmospheric Production: The production is characterized by layered soundscapes, including dreamy synths, clean electric guitar with a "surfy" tone, and distant, ethereal vocal effects. This creates a hypnotic and immersive listening experience.
• Vocal Delivery: Mitchel Cave's vocal performance is central to the song's style. He employs a smooth, often breathy delivery that conveys both sensuality and a sense of weary introspection. The cadence of his flow, especially in the verses, draws influence from hip-hop and R&B.
• Dynamic Contrast: The song uses contrast effectively, moving between the more rhythmic, talk-sung verses and the soaring, melodic chorus. This dynamic shift helps to build the song's emotional arc.

Literary Techniques:

• Extended Metaphor: The entire song is built around the extended metaphor of swimming to represent navigating life and relationships.
• Imagery: The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery, such as "exercising demons, got 'em running 'round the block" and "pedal to the floor like you running from the cops," which create a strong sense of narrative and mood.
• Repetition: The repetition of the word "swim" in the chorus acts as a hypnotic mantra, emphasizing the central theme and making the hook incredibly memorable.

"Swim" has had a significant cultural impact, becoming Chase Atlantic's most recognizable song and a viral sensation, particularly on the social media platform TikTok. Released in 2017 on their self-titled debut album, the song gained massive popularity years later, where its dreamy, atmospheric sound and introspective lyrics became the soundtrack for countless videos, trends, and edits. This viral success introduced the band to a vast new audience and solidified their status as icons of the dark alternative pop and R&B scene.

The song is often cited as a perfect encapsulation of Chase Atlantic's unique genre-blending style. It has been instrumental in defining their aesthetic: a mix of sensual, moody R&B with rock and electronic influences, often exploring themes of hedonism and mental health. As of early 2025, "Swim" surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, a major milestone that marks its enduring popularity and significant place in the modern musical landscape. Its success has been a key driver in the band's growing fanbase and their ability to embark on global tours. While it didn't have a traditional chart-topping run upon release, its organic, platform-driven rise to prominence is a testament to its powerful connection with listeners.

"Swim" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that create its dark, introspective atmosphere.

• Swimming and the Ocean: This is the central and most dominant metaphor. The act of "swimming" represents navigating the turbulent waters of life, relationships, and internal struggles. The partner's "ocean" is a metaphor for a deep, immersive escape, a place of both solace and potential danger. The line "The water's getting colder" symbolizes a growing sense of numbness, despair, or the harsh reality setting in.
• Dancing with the Devil: This phrase symbolizes engaging in reckless, risky, and potentially self-destructive behavior, particularly in the context of the relationship being offered. It implies that the narrator sees himself as a dangerous or corrupting influence, yet the partner has "lucked out" so far.
• California: The setting of California symbolizes a land of dreams, escapism, and hedonism. It's a place to run to, but it doesn't solve the underlying problems, creating a juxtaposition between the sunny ideal and the cold, dark reality of the narrator's emotional state.
• Exercising Demons: This is a direct metaphor for confronting and trying to overcome personal issues, anxieties, and past traumas. The imagery of them "runnin' round the block now" suggests an ongoing, exhausting battle.
• Green Light: This represents permission, consent, or the right moment to move forward in the relationship. The narrator's impatience and desire to ignore this signal highlights his impulsive nature.
• The Rip: The lyric "don't get caught up in the rip" is a stark warning against the powerful, unseen undercurrents of life and the relationship itself, which can pull a person under unexpectedly.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Swim" is the concept of water, swimming, and the ocean. This is not just a recurring phrase but the central theme that structures the entire song.

• "Swim": The word "swim" is repeated relentlessly throughout the chorus, acting as both a title and a central command or plea. Its repetition creates a hypnotic, mantra-like effect, drilling the core metaphor into the listener's mind. It represents the simultaneous struggle to survive and the desire to dive deeper into an escape.
• "The water's getting colder, let me in your ocean": This recurring phrase opens the chorus and sets the emotional tone. It reappears to reinforce the sense of growing desperation and the longing for immersion in another person as a form of escape from an increasingly harsh reality.
• "Out in California, I've been forward stroking": This line is another key part of the chorus, linking the act of swimming to a specific, symbolic location and the idea of trying to make progress. Its repetition emphasizes the ongoing but difficult effort to move forward.
• "Dance with the devil": While only appearing in the pre-chorus, this phrase is a significant recurring motif in the context of the song's dark, hedonistic themes. It encapsulates the risky nature of the narrator and the world he occupies.